Authorities are trying to locate the owner of this paddle boat found off of North Beach in Hampton Friday morning. (Courtesy)

Search in Hampton suspended for owner of capsized paddle boat

By JASON SCHREIBERUnion Leader Correspondent

HAMPTON — The Coast Guard suspended its search Friday after an unoccupied paddle boat was found capsized earlier in the day off of North Beach.

The Coast Guard launched the search and rescue mission with help from local police following the discovery of the 8-foot Pelican paddle boat overturned in the area of North Beach.

.Authorities tried to locate the owner of the boat and anyone else who may have occupied the boat, but called off the search Friday afternoon pending new information.

No one was reported missing and authorities didn’t know if anyone was aboard the boat when it capsized, according to Lt. Eric Spragins, command duty officer with Coast Guard Sector Northern New England...The Coast Guard Station Portsmouth Harbor received a report of the unmanned boat around 10:45 a.m.

The boat was last seen Thursday night near 32 Noreast Lane in Hampton and was recovered near 1070 Ocean Lane in Hampton, officials said...A camp fire was spotted in the area where the boat was last seen on shore.

Spragins said the Coast Guard used a helicopter to search by air, and a 47-foot motor life boat also assisted with a water search near North Beach...Local police assisted in the search as well.Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Coast Guard Sector Northern New England at (207) 767-0303.